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On Saturday, April 23, Lee University’s Department of History will present the 10th Annual Tour of Historic Homes on North Ocoee, Centenary, and 21st streets near downtown Cleveland.

Ten years ago, the faculty and students of Lee University began presenting the tour as part of the Rediscovering Historic Cleveland initiative. Since that time, they have researched and presented to the community almost forty homes, churches, and landmark buildings.

This year’s tour opens four more of Cleveland’s finest historic homes to the public:

– The Cowan House (620 North Ocoee). Built on the north edge of Cleveland c. 1863, this home is one of the city’s few remaining examples of antebellum residential design. Built from locally-produced brick, the house once had extensive outbuildings, including a summer kitchen which is now incorporated into the home.

– The Webb House (1153 North Ocoee). This foursquare home was built in 1911 and features fireplaces, banisters and hardware on many of the doors. Recently restored by the West family, the two-story home also features a widow’s walk and original pine and oak flooring.

– The Still Home (263 Centenary). Built in 1922, this classic bungalow stayed within the Still family for over three decades. The home features a central shed dormer, examples of period fixtures, a restored back porch and the original iron bathtub.

– The Harris House (590 21st). Built as part of an early suburban subdivision that once a dairy farm, this handsome 1912 bungalow features original floors, fireplaces and wood trim.

The tours will be conducted by Lee history students completing their senior year “Capstone” experience, which includes a public history project (the annual spring house tour and, in the fall, the Fort Hill Cemetery Tour). Students conduct interviews, research architecture and design, write the tour guidebook, and provide commentary on the homes.

“The opportunity to explore public history has given me a deeper appreciation for the community’s past and the importance of taking our work as historians and making it accessible to the public,” said Brennan Zagami, senior history major at Lee.

Tour-goers will learn about what life in Cleveland would have been like around the time of each home’s construction. They will also learn about architectural styles, as well as the extent to which parts of the homes have been restored, preserved and modernized to meet the needs of today’s families.

“It’s hard to believe that the tour has already reached its ten year anniversary,” said Dr. John Coats, professor of history and faculty sponsor for the tour. “During that time over 3,000 guests have toured our homes. I hope that the tour, like its fall counterpart, the Fort Hill Cemetery Tour, has helped the community better connect to its history.”

Tickets are available on Saturday, April 23, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 590 21st Street. The homes will be open for tours until 2 p.m. The $5 admission will support the William Snell History Scholarship at Lee University.